Legislation -
Bill Passed
(Senate)
(62-37) -
April 25, 2012(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to offer early retirement incentive payments to postal employees who voluntarily retire before October 1, 2015 (Sec. 102).

Limits the early retirement incentive payments to no more than $25,000 (Sec. 102).

Reduces U.S. Postal Service contributions to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund to an amount equal to the difference between (Sec. 103):

80 percent of the U.S. Postal Service's actuarial liability as of September 30 of the most recently ended fiscal year, whereas existing law specifies 100 percent of the actuarial liability; and

The value of the assets of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund as of September 30 of the most recently ended fiscal year.

Defines “actuarial liability” as the difference between the net present value of future payments for current and future U.S. Postal Service retirees and the net present value attributable to the future service of U.S. Postal Service employees (Sec. 103).

Authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to mail distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages provided that all of the following conditions are met (Sec. 405):

The items are mailed in accordance with the laws and regulations of both the state where the sender is located and the state where the addressee is located; and

The addressee is at least 21 years of age and presents valid, government-issued photo identification upon delivery.

Authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to reduce the nationwide delivery schedule to 5 days per week, provided that certain conditions have been met including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 207):

The delivery schedule is reduced no earlier than 2 years after the enactment date of this bill;

The U.S. Postal Service has conducted a study to identify customers, communities, and small businesses for whom the change would have a disproportionate negative impact;

The U.S. Postal Service has developed measures to mitigate any disproportionate negative impact that the reduction in delivery schedule would have on customers;

The U.S. Postal Service has implemented measures to increase revenue and reduce costs; and

The U.S. Postal Service has evaluated whether the increase in revenue or reduction in costs will allow the Postal Service to achieve long-term solvency without a reduction in delivery schedule.

Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from establishing new or revised service standards for “market-dominant” products for 3 years after the passage of this bill (Sec. 201).